Friction-clutch.



No. 713,556 Patented Nov. H, I902. T. S. CASNER.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

[Application filed Feb. 7, 1902.| QNo Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

No. 78,556. Patented Nov. u, I902.

T. s. CASNER.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

(Application filed Feb. 7, 1902.) QNo Model.) 3 Sheets- Sheei 2.

v No. 7l3,556. Patented Nov. ll, I902. T. S. CASNER.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

(Application filed. Feb. 7, 1902.]

{No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

Jim M Gama/U W r w (X Mam lUNiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THADDEUS STEPHENS OASNER, OF AUBURN, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE MODEL GASENGINE COMPANY, OF AUBURN, INDIANA, A CORPORA- TION.

FRICTION-CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,556, dated November11, 1902.

Application filed February '7, 1902. Serial No. 92,956, (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that THADDEUS STEPHENS OASNER, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Auburn, in the county of Dekalb and State ofIndiana,haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inFriction-Clutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machine elements, and has special reference tothat class of devices commonly known as friction-clutches and designedfor a variety of purposes in connection with different kinds ofmachinery.

To this end the invention contemplates a simple, practical, andthoroughly effective form of friction -clutch possessing special utilityas a part of a friction-clutch pulley, but also capable of generalapplication not only to pulleys arranged in different positions and tothose which may or may not be mounted upon a line-shaft, but also tocouplings of that character requiring a friction-clutch, therebyproviding means for producing a practical form of friction-clutchcoupling for adjacent parts of the same line of shafting.

In carrying out these general objects the invention has in view afriction-clutch embodying means wherebya uniform friction hearing orclutch is provided for throughout the entire perimeter of the pulley orwheel to be clutched, thus obviating the objections to that type offriction-clutch pulleys wherein the friction shoe or clutch element isclutched upon the wheel or pulley all from one side, thus materiallyaffecting the power to be derived from the clutched parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedfriction-clutch embodying actuating means which effect a thoroughlooking of the parts in their clutched condition to prevent accidentalslipping or loosening.

Also in its preferred aspect the invention contemplates the employmentof a carrier or carrying element which not only constitutes a supportfor the clutch elements, but also provides a bearing-support for thepulley or Wheel associated with the said clutch elements.

lVith these and many other objects in view, which will more readilyappear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the sameconsists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement ofparts to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential features of the clutch or clutching device proper arenecessarily susceptible to considerable modification, especially in viewof the adaptability of the clutch or clutching device to suit differentconditions of pulley-mountings and shafting; but a few of the preferredembodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure 1 is an elevation of a friction-clutch pulley constructedin accordance with the present invention and illustrating the latter inone of its preferred aspects. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of theconstruction shown in Fig. l on the line 2 2 of the latter figure. Fig.3 is a detail sectional view showing more plainly the expanding-toggleconnection for the split-ring friction-shoe. Fig. 4 is an elevation of afriction-pulley shown in connection with a line-shaft extendingtherethrough and equipped with the clutch or clutching devicecontemplated by the present invention. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on theline 5 5 of Fig. at. Fig. 6 is an elevation of a friction pulley orwheel cooperating with the clutch or clutching device to provide inconnection therewith a friction-clutch coupling for shafting. Fig. 7 is.a sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral figures of the. drawings.

In carrying out the invention in all of its forms there is employed whatmight be properly termed a clutch-carrier, which constitutes asupporting element or base for the operative parts of the clutchingdevice proper. This clutch-carrier necessarily is modified somewhat tosuit different conditions, according as the clutch 0r clutching devicemaybe associated with a pulley which does or does not receive aline-shaft therethrough or when the device is associated with thenecessary elements to provide a friction-clutch coupling, as suggestedin Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. However, in a preferred form of theinvention, which provides a practical and efficient type offriction-clutch pulley, the said clutch-carrier not only constitutes asupport for the working elements of the clutch or clutching device, butalso provides a bearing-support for the pulley or wheel, besidesproviding attaching means for being fitted to the balance-wheel,fly-wheel, disk wheel, or shaft of an engine or other machinery. In thepreferred form of the invention the said carrier therefore performs aplurality of important and useful functions, and hence reference willfirst be made to the adaptation of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2of the drawings.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the v drawings, as well asdetail Fig. 3, the numeral 1designatestheclutch-carrier. Asshown,thiscarrier is preferably in the form of a spider, the same being formedwith a plurality of radially-extending supporting-arms 2, carrying at ornear the outer terminals thereof the laterally-projecting holding pinsor studs 3, which may be securely fastened, as at 4, in or to thesupporting-arms 2 through the medium of a threaded or equivalentfastening connection. The laterally projecting terminal holding pins orstuds 3 provide a loose support at spaced intervals for thefriction-shoe 5. The friction-shoe 5 is preferably in the form of asplit ring continuous and unbroken throughout, except at the spring gapor split 6, and at regularly-spaced intervals, corresponding to theintervals between the supporting-arms 2 of the spider clutch-carrier l,the split-ring friction-shoe 5 is provided with inwardly-projectinghanger-ears 7,provided with openings or perforations 8 therein, whichloosely receive or take over the holding pins or studs 3, carried by thecarrier. This construction provides a loose hanger support or mountingof the friction-shoe upon the carrier at one side of the latter,whichserves to properly position the shoe in operative relation withreference to the pulley or wheel 9, while at the same time permittingthe friction-shoe to be expanded evenly and uniformly throughout itsentire area, so as to exert a uniform clutching or gripping action uponthe surface of the clutch-flange 10 of the pulley or wheel 9.

In the preferred construction (shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings)the clutch-car rier 1 is not only provided with the supporting-arms 2for loosely hanging the frictionshoe in the manner described, but isalso formed with a plurality of laterally-offset attaching-arms 11,having terminal perforated bolt-ears 12, which afford means forfastening the carrier to the balance-wheeLfly-wheel, or disk wheel of anengine or equivalent machine. Also the said carrier provides abearing-support for the pulley or wheel 9, and to secure this result isformed with a single integral tubular journal 13, which revolublyreceives thereon the sleeve-hub 14 of the friction pulley or wheel 9.

The friction pulley or wheel 9 is of any suitable construction, and theclutch-flange 10 may be a separate or integral part thereof, although inthe usual construction the said cliitch-flange or clutching-surface 10is provided by the inner side of the rim of the pulley. The said pulleyor wheel 9 is held in position upon the journal 13 of the clutchcarrierthrough the medium of a flanged nut 15, overlapping the contiguous outerends of the journal and the pulley-hub and provided with a threadedcollar 16, engaging threads formed in the outer end portion of thetubular journal 13. In the construction being referred to the flange-nut15 is further provided with a guide-opening 17,piercing the same for apurpose to be presently explained.

One of the important features of the present invention resides in themeans which are utilized for uniformly expanding the splitringfriction-shoe against the inner side of the pulley-rim or clutch-flange10. This is preferably and advantageously accomplished through themedium of a shoe-expanding toggle 18. This toggle is arranged inside ofthe shoe and spans the spring gap or split 6 between the contiguous endsof the shoe and in its preferable construction essentially consists ofthe oppositely-arranged toggle-links 19, united at their adjacent endsbyaknncklejoint 20 and pivotally connected at their ends opposite theknuckle-joint by means of the pivot-joints 21 to the attaching-ears 22,formed integrally with and projected inwardly from the frictionshoe,respectively at opposite sides of the spring-gap thereof.

Various expedients may be resorted to for spreading the toggle andexpanding the shoe against the clutch flange or rim of the pulley. Inall of the forms of the invention this is accomplished by means of whatmight be properly termed a toggle-spreader. In the construction shown inFigs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the toggle-spreader consists of asectional adjustable stem 23. The said stem 23, as shown, comprisesseparate sections 24 and 25, the contiguous portions of which arethreaded and are adjustably connected by the sleeve-coupling nut 26,with which cooperates the jam or look nuts 27, mounted, respectively, atopposite sides of the coupling-nut upon the separate stem-sections 24.-and 25. vides means for regulating or adjusting the tension or pressurewhich is to be placed upon the shoe-expanding toggle 18, and theinnermost stem-section 25 is formed with a bearing-yoke 28, in which isjournaled a contactroller 29, adapted to be engaged by the camhead 30 ofthe clutch-actuator 31. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, theclutch-actuator is preferably in the form of a plunger The adjustablesectional stem pro-.

170E the nut 15 and carrying at its inner endv the head 30, having aninclined nose 32, which rides beneath and against the roller 29, At itsouter end, exterior to the pulley or wheel 9, the clutch-actuator 31 hasmounted 1 hereon a hand-wheel or equivalent operati nghandle 33,whichmay be conveniently grasped by the operator for throwing the clutch inand out of action. When the pulley is to be put in action, the actuatoror plunger 31 is thrust inwardly, thereby causing the roller 29 of thetoggle-spreader 23 to ride upon the straight portion of the cam-head 30,which necessarily effects an outward movement of the spreader oradjusting-stem 23, with the consequent spreading of the toggle 13. Thisaction expands the friction-shoe against the rim or flange of thepulley, and on account of the loose mounting or hanging of thefrictionshoe an equal bearing is provided for the shoe throughout theperimeter of the pulley. Upon drawing the actuator or plunger outwardthe shoe automatically retracts or contracts away from the pulley orwheel, thus freeing the same, so that it will remain perfectly looseupon the journal 13.

The essential features of the clutch or clutching device proper, as justdescribed, remain the same in all modifications of the invention, itusually only being necessary to slightly modify the carrier and theactuating means of the toggle, according to the particular use of theinvention.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings the spiderclutch-carrier 1 is provided with the same supporting means as alreadydescribed for the friction-shoe; but instead of having a journal for thepulley or wheel the said carrier is provided with an attaching element34 in the form of a sleeve keyed upon the line-shaft 35, which extendsthrough the hub of the pulley or wheel. The said attaching element 34,therefore, corresponds to the attaching-arms 11 in the constructionpreviously described,therebyadapting the clutch to a type of pulley inwhich a line-shaft extends through the same. In the saidconstruction-namely, that shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawingsthetogglespreader is in the form of a link 23, connected at one end to theknuckle-joint of the tog le 18 and at its other end to one end of ashort rock-arm 36, carried upon the inner end of a short rock-shaft orpin 37, journaled in a shaft-bearing 38, carried by the carrier 1 andhaving mounted on its outer end an adjust- A movement of the taperedcollar 42 against and under the lever 39 necessarily effects a spreadingof the shoe-expanding toggle, while a movement of the said collar awayfrom the lever 39 permits the friction-shoe to retract or contract awayfrom the pulley or wheel.

Inthe construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings all theessential parts of the invention are exactly the same as shown anddescribed in connection with Figs. 4 and 5, the only difference residingin the fact that the improvement is shown applied for use in connectionwith separate shaft-sections 45 and 46, to which are respectively keyedthe carrier 1 and the'pulley or wheel 9, thus providing an efficienttype of friction-clutch coupling.

Other modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art,and it will be understood that various changes in the form, proportion,and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of theinvention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Pat-- cut, is

1. Inafriction-clutchoftheclass described, the combination with thepulley or wheel, of a spider clutch-carrier having a plurality ofsupporting-arms, each having at its inner side an offset supportingelement projected laterally toward the pulley or wheel, a split-ringfriction-shoe loosely interlocked with each of said supporting elements,and means for expanding the shoe.

2. Inafriction-clutch ofthe classdescribed, the combination with thepulley, of a spider clutch-carrier having ofiset attaching means, andalso having a plurality of supportingarms, each of said supporting-armsbeing provided at its inner side and terminal with an offsetholding-stud projecting laterally toward the pulley, a split-ring.friction-shoe provided with a series of perforated hanger ears looselyinterlocked with said studs, and means for expanding the shoe.

3. In a friction-clutch of the class described, the combination with thepulley, of a spidercarrier having oit'set attaching means, a pluralityof supporting-arms each carrying at itsinnersidealaterally-projectingholding-stud, and a tubular journal forthe pulley, a splitring friction-shoe having perforated members looselyinterlocked with said holdingstuds, and actuating means for the shoeincluding an element working inside of and housed by the tubularjournal.

4. Inafriction-clutch ofthe class described, the combination with thepulley, of a carrier having a tubular journal for the pulley, a guidingelement fitted to and closing one end of the tubular journal, asplit-ring frictionshoe cooperating with the pulley and loosely hungupon the carrier, a shoe-expanding tog- IIO gle spanning the split ofthe shoe and conone end inside of the journal at cam-head opnected withopposite portions thereof, a seceratin z against the contactu'oller. 1otional adjustable stem connected with the In testimony whereof I affixmy signature knuckle of the toggle and carrying at one end in presenceof two Witnesses.

a contact-roller, and a manually-operated THADDEUS STEPHENS OASNER.clutch-operating plunger slidably supported 'Witnesses:

by said guiding element and working within l EDW. A. KRYUT,

A. O. ROBBINS.

the tubular journal, said plunger carrying at

